WE CAN TAKE IT|

We Can Take It explores how the memory of the Second World War continues to affect British contemporary life and why the war effort holds an important place in British culture, history and national identity. Connelly explores the way in which the British memory of the Second World War was created during the war, and maintained after it through cultural artefacts such as films, comics, art, literature and toys. Connelly moves away from recent interpretations of the British war effort which have suggested that the rosy vision of cohesion, solidarity and unity is little more than a myth. Britain's role in the war is seen as something that we should be proud of, and need to come to terms with in order to eradicate problems in our national self-perception.

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In 1939 little Britain stood alone against the might of the Nazis, who had overran the whole of Europe already. During the next 6 years, assailed on all sides, Britain fought through, everyone pulling together, literally determining the future of the world. But was it really like this? Do we just remember what we want to about the Blitz and D-Day, happily ignoring the rest? `We Can Take it' sifts the truth from the fiction, showing just why the war to end all wars is so important to the memory of Britons

Table of contents

Introduction1. Mr Chamberlain's face: September 1939-May 19402. A Colossal Military Disaster: Dunkirk and the Fall of France, May- June 19403. The Fewest of the Few: the Battle of Britain, June-September 19404. London Pride has been handed down to us: the Blitz, September 1940-May 19415. Over-sexed, over-paid and over here: Home Front, 1941-1945, Yanks, Women and Auntie Beeb6. Bless 'em all - the British Army, 1941-19457. `Take That, Fritz': commandos, prisoners of war and the boy's own war8. `It ain't half hot mum': the forgotten campaigns9. Gotcha!: recasting the Second World War, 1945-2002Epilogue